About John Brooks, Sr.

Major John/4s Brooks was born 4 Dec 1755 at Ridgefield, CT.1,2 He removed before the Revolution to Peenbeck, NY, then served a number of enlistments during that conflict in the cause of independence, amounting in all to five years of service.2 (His initial service, referenced in pension correspondence and erroneously dated 1776 in John's own pension affidavit, was evidently for the term of six months in 1775, under Gen. Richard Montgomery, "at the taking of St. John's, Canada," which fell 2 Nov 1775.).2 He married (1), in New York state by 1779, Rachel Blizzard, the mother of his children.3,4 He remained at Peenbeck for seven years after the close of the Revolution, during which time his house burnt.2 He then spent 10 years in Sullivan County, NY, at least some of these at Neversink, where his house again burnt.2 Circa 1800 he removed to Pompey, Onondaga, NY.2

In 1810 he followed his son John, who had removed the previous year, to Florence, OH, where he was a village trustee, 1817.5,2 His wife Rachel died at Florence 23 Mar 1826.6 He married (2), 7 Jun 1826, Asenath (Mrs. Robey) Smith.7 She died at Florence 27 Oct 1827.8 He married (3), 21 Oct 1828, the widow Lena Barnes.9

. . .

John Brooks married (4), 5 Feb or 16 Mar 1838, in Huron County, the widow Orrilla (Holcomb) Hancock. "Mr. Brooks was never destined to be as happy again as he had been with [Lena Barnes], for though he married the widow Hancock … for his fourth wife, they did not get along. The records say she was 'bought off, and went to Michigan, and afterwards to Missouri.11'" He died in Erie County, OH, 22 Sep 1846 at age 90.2 Buried in Cable Cemetery, Florence. "Blockhouses and Military Posts of the Firelands tells us that Cable Cemetery is on Joseph Brooks's lot, and that John, Sr. is buried on John Jr.'s lot with only a DAR marker."12

6 Mar 1833, John Brooks of Florence, OH, aged 77, made affidavit at Norwalk concerning his particularly eventful Revolutionary War service. He declared that on 3 Mar 1776, then a resident of Peenbeck, Ulster, NY, he enlisted as a private soldier for one year's service in the company commanded by Capt. Cornelius Hardenburgh in the 3d NY Regt. of the Continental Line. They marched to Esopus, NY, then traveled by water to New York. Wounded at Flatbush, he retreated with the army from Long Island to Manhattan, remaining there until October, when his unit evacuated the island upon the British capture of Fort Washington. They marched to White Plains, where he was wounded in the action of 8 Oct in his right arm, and subsequently furloughed for four weeks, returning to service about 4 Dec 1776. He went with Washington to Trenton, took part in the successful capture of the Hessian garrison there on Christmas Day, and was there dismissed at the expiration of his term of service.

He further deposed that about the middle of Apr 1777, having returned to Peenbeck, he again enlisted, this time for the term of eight months, as an orderly sergeant in the militia company of Capt. James Tillford, Col. John Snyder's regt. Stationed at Fort Clinton, about 18 miles below West Point, he was engaged in garrison duty and the construction of fortifications and redoubts at Fort Montgomery. When Fort Clinton fell to the British, he made his escape in the dark, and thence made his way to Newburgh to rejoin his company, continuing in service until his discharge, 7 Dec 1777, having served nine months.

John Brooks returned to Peenbeck, then enlisted again for frontier service at Fort Dempsey, serving eight months under Capt. Felter on the New York frontier "from Fort Stanwix to Orange County Line." He then joined Sullivan's 1779 expedition against the Iroquois, was engaged in the battle of Beaver Creek against Joseph Brant's force of Mohawks and Loyalists, and there received three different wounds, by Musket Balls Buckshot & Swords. — One of which broke his right thumb which has always since been uselefs to him. In this battle, his regimental lieutenant colonel, major, and company captain (Barzillai Tyler, who had recently appointed John Brooks ensign) were all killed. After the battle Brooks was commissioned lieutenant, which rank he held until the close of the war.

Discharged in April 1780, he reenlisted (unit unspecified, but probably commanded by Capt. Abraham Cuddeback) and served on garrison duty at DeWitt Fort until the end of the war.2 For disability resulting from his wounds, he was pensioned from January 1, 1777, under the act of June 7, 1785. Under the pension act of 1831, he was awarded a pension, 12 Mar 18--, retroactive to 4 Mar 1831, of $80 annually for Revolutionary service.2 "While his service record card and DAR records show him as major, his pension record does not reflect this."11

His widow Orrilla successfully filed application, 4 Jun 1868, for a widow's pension based on his Revolutionary service.2

==============================================

"In 1810, John Brooks, Sr., Joseph Sears and Jeremiah Wilson, and their families, were added. Mr. Brooks located at Sprague's Corners, on lot Thirty-seven. He was a soldier in the Revolution, and was in several important engagements, amongst others those of White Plains and Monmouth, and was twice wounded. He died at the age of ninety- one. His son, John Brooks, Jr., married Adeline Squire, and settled a short distance south of Florence Corners, on the east side of the road. They are both deceased and the last of the family moved to Kansas a short time since. Joseph Brooks, another son, married a daughter [note: should this be sister?] of Eli S. Barnum, and settled across the road from his brother John. In 1811, Town Clark with his widowed mother, with several younger children, and George Brooks, her son-in-law, and his family of wife and child, moved in from Onondaga County, New York. The Clark family bought and settled where Mrs. Solomon G. Sprague resides. Seven years after, Mrs. Clark married a Mr. Downing, and removed to Michigan. Mrs. John Hill, aged seventy-six, is the only member of the family now living in the township. George Brooks settled in the south part of the township. In 1836, he removed to Michigan, and afterwards started for California and died on the way. These were the only inhabitants of the township until after the war. "

==========================

(via M.A.Rigdon)

The Sandusky Clarion, June 1, 1844; Norwalk, Erie Co., Ohio.

A VETERAN WHIG. Among the gallant spirits from Erie County, at the Mass Convention in this city on the 15th inst,. was that Whig patriarch, Mr. Brooks. He rode on horseback from his house to Cleveland, 42 miles, and returned on the same faithful animal, in the rain and without an umbrella, though one was offered him, as also a seat in a covered carriage, which he declined. At Dover, he gave a history of his long, eventful an honorable life, as follows:

He was 88 years old last December, lived in Florence, Erie county, Ohio. That he served under Montgomery before the appointment of Washington as commander-in-chief, and under Washington through the war. Was at the taking of the following places, to wit: Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Laprarie, Montreal, and was at the siege of St. Johns 23 days; this was in 1775. In 1776 was in the battles of Long Island and White Plains, in both of which actions he was wounded, and the same year in the battle of Trenton, N. J. In 1777, at Montgomery, Monmouth, the Indian battle near Beaver Creek, in which he was wounded in several places. He shot across the river and shot Brant's horse from under him--shot again and wounded him in the knee. Brant was the commander of the Indians. Was at the taking of Stony Point, and in the last action, the taking of Cornwallis.

In 1781 he received a commission from Congress as commandant of a company, and in 1782, (the war having closed) he received an honorable discharge from Gen. Washington.

He supported Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, J. Q. Adams, and Harrison, for presidents--has travelled on horse-back to Cleveland, a distance of 42 miles, to attend the convention for the ratification of the nomination of Henry Clay and Theodore Frelinghuysen. That he was a Whig in '76 and ever has been, and ever will be so long as he may live.
Cleve. Her.

MARRIAGES & DEATHS
Extracted from
The History of Ridgefield Connecticut
George L. ROCKWELL
1927

Jonahtan BROOKS m. Sarah (no surname given), 9 Apg 1744

---------------------------------------------------

Jonathan/3s Brooks was born 17 Nov 1709 at Deerfield, MA.1 He married, 9 Apr 1744 at Ridgefield, CT, Sarah Hubbard/Hobart, perhaps Sarah Hobart, daughter of Joseph Hobart and Sarah Rockwell. (Jonathan's brother Ebenezer and mother Elizabeth (Belden) Brooks also removed to Fairfield County, CT.).2 Parcels of land in Ridgefield that Joseph and Sarah (Rockwell) Hobart received in the will of Thomas Rockwell were sold sometime between 1756-1761 by John Hobart, Ruth Hobart, Jonathan and Sarah Brooks, and James and Phebe Green.3 Jonathan Brooks further removed, between 1780 and 1782, to Minisink Twp., Orange Co., NY.4

They may have gone to Southbury, CT (after 1755) before going up to Orange
Co., NY, or Ulster Co. NY. There is a Jonathan, Jeremiah, and John Brooks in
Ulster Co. in the 1790 census, it may be them.

******

I have a will for Jonathan Brooks. Will made Aug 21, 1811, and probated Oct
11, 1811. The sons listed: Fletcher M. and Benjamin Franklin, dau: Esther.
Administrator: John I. Brooks. He lived in Blooming Grove, Orange Co. NY.
I have a copy of the will if he looks familiar to anyone. Not sure if he is
the Jonathan Brooks b. in 1745.

Perhaps six years ago I was in contact with Christopher Webber, who
sent me a Brooks narrative with quite a few Ohio sources. He had
fairly detailed information on Asenath Van Vliet, widow of ____
Cuddebach, who married (2) Benjamin Brooks and removed to Vermillion, OH.

"Benjamin Brooks, his wife and three children came at the same time
as Perry [1809] and lived near him. Benjamin was no longer young when he came to Vermillion. He had been a captive of the Indians in his youth, and knew their ways well." "Asenath came from Marcellus, N.Y., and remembered many incidents of the Revolution which she told to her children." [He cites Blockhouses & Military Posts of the Firelands (Cherry), c. 1934, p. 50.]

The problem is identifying which Benjamin Brooks this is. Webber's
pedigree had Benjamin born at Ridgefield, Fairfield, CT (I've
pencilled in say 1759 for a date), but there's no confirmation in
Barbour. Webber had what I consider an impossible pedigree of
Benjamin/3, Jonathan/2, John/1. (John/1 of Cheshire is not known to
have had any sons, for starters, nor do the dates fit very well.
John/1 of Fairfield County, CT had only the son Benjamin/2, known
from his father's will.)

I think it more likely that this is the Springfield line of William/1
Brooks, and that the pedigree ought to be Benjamin/4, Jonathan/3,
Ebenezer/2, William/1. Jonathan/3, born at Deerfield, MA 17 Nov 1709,
is likely the same who married, 1744 at Ridgefield, Sarah ?Hubbard.
According to Webber, who cites "Article read at Stiles Family
Reunion, Wakeman, OH, 12 Aug 1912 by Dr. F.E. Weeks," they removed,
between 1780-82, to Minisink, Orange, NY.

I note Asenath's Dutch surname, the (German?) surname of her 1st
husband, and the location of Orange County, NY, and therefore suggest that this is the Springfield line, which to date contains all the
identifiable Dutch connections of which I'm aware. Marianne's John
Brooks, if I'm not mistaken, would be the Springfield line brother
(John/4, Jonathan/3, Ebenezer/2, William/1) of the Benjamin in
question.

Marianne, if you want to send me what you have on Asenath and
Benjamin offlist, I'll plug it into the database as I have time.

:I was wondering if any one was familiar with this Benjamin
:BROOKS. He was "captive amongst the Indians for many years in
:his younger days." [Pioneer Women of Vermillion Twp. 1809-1845]
:I don't know where he was "captive" or where he was born.
:
:He lived in Marcellus, Onondaga, NY and later moved to
:Vermillion Twp. Erie Co. OH, about 1810. He married Asenath
:VAN VLIET who was the widow of Jacobus CUDDEBACK. Benjamin and
:Asenath had Jonathan b. 1790, Joseph b. 1800 and Betsy.
:
:He seems to be in close proximity to my John BROOKS, who lived
:in Pompey, Onondaga, NY and then about 1810 in Florence Twp.
:Erie Co OH. I don't know if he is related to John or it could
:just be a coincidence.
:
:He just keeps popping up in my research.
======================================

The Ohio migration goes at least back to 1810/11. Here are some excerpts
from the Firelands Pioneer, an Ohio History Journal. The full document is
available on the Erie County OH RootsWeb site.

"William Hoddy came [to Vermillion Township, Erie County, OH] in 1808,
William Austin, George and John Sherrats, Enoch Smith, and Horatio Perry in
1809. Almon Ruggles, Solomon Parsons, Benj. Brooks, Barlow Sturges, Deacon John Beardsley, and James Cuddeback, in 1810. Peter Cuddeback and others in 1811. The above settlers emigrated from New England and from New York State. They came with teams mostly."

My comments: Benj. Brooks was married to Asenath (or Esyntje) Van Vliet. She was the daughter of Jan Van Vliet and Lea Decker. She was previously married to James Cuddeback [#36 in _Caudebec_in_America_]. James was the son of Abraham Cuddeback (#9 in the book) who was born in Machackemeck and died in Skaneateles. James Cuddeback and Asenath Van Vliet were apparently
parents to the above mention Peter and James Cuddeback as well as to
Gerardus Swartwout Cuddeback.

From Pioneer Women of the Western Reserve (also available on the above
RootsWeb site) we have the following:

"There were two families by the name of Cuddeback in Vermillion that were very prominent in affairs at that early day, and have continued so until the present time, Peter married Jenny Courtright, and James, his Brother, married Hannah Courtright, a sister of Jenny." and "They came in 1810 from Minnisink, N. J."

My Comments: Hannah and Jenny Courtright were daughters to Sylvester
Courtright. Sylvester was in Skaneateles in the 1800 census and was baptized
in 19 Sep 1748 at the Machackemack Reformed Dutch Church.

Also of some note:

A number of the children of James and Peter married children of George Sheratts who came from Pennsylvania.

Sylvester Cuddeback, son of Peter, married Polly Sherrod, daughter of George Sheratts. Sylvester and Polly moved to Van Buren County, MI and sired most of the Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa Cuddebacks.

Having seen the multiplicity of spellings for Cuddeback, the various spellings of Sherrod are much worse, going all the way to Sherwood.

Any additional information on James and Peter Cuddeback and their father James Cuddeback would be much appreciated. I don't know if James and Peter migrated from Orange or Onandaga County, nor do I have solid New York proof of their birth and relationship to their father.

How am I tied into all this? I'm the son of George Alois Jakoubek and Lora Cuddeback, and the 3rd Great-Grandson of Sylvester Cuddeback.

Mrs. Benjamin Brooks (Asenath Van Vliet) came from Marcellus,
N.Y., in 1810. She was twice married. Her first husband's name
was Cuddeback. She was the mother of Peter and James Cuddeback,
who also came to Vermillion in 1810 and 1811 with their
families. She remembered many incidents of the Revolutionary
war, which she passed through while living in the state of New
York, and often told her children and grandchildren stories of
that war and also of the war of 1812, which took place about two
years after coming to Ohio.
While east during the war, word came to them that Indians had
been seen in the settlement and the people must all get to the
fort. They all started, leaving everything in their hurry to get
to a place of safety. Herself and a friend were overtaken by an
Indian. They expected to be killed, but he contented himself by
taking a string of gold beads from her neck and some of their
clothing, then let them go on to the fort.
At the time of the battle of Perry's victory, she and her
family were in great fear and anxiety, knowing it would be
almost sure death if the British and Indians gained the day.
There was great rejoicing when the news of the victory came. Her
son, Jonathan Brooks, about seventeen years old, and another
young man, went over to the battle ground, between twenty-five
and thirty miles distant, in a small open boat. Mr. Brooks cut
one of the cannon shot from the side of one of the boats that
was in the battle. It is now in the possession of his grand son,
Herbert Loomis, of East Cleveland.
Mrs. Asenath Brooks was ninety-four years old at the time of
her death.

Elizabeth Sherrets, daughter of Geo. and Margaretta Krick
Sherrets, married Mr. Benjamin Brooks, son of Jonathan above
mentioned [error: Elizabeth's husband was Jonathan Brooks (i.e. s/b Jonathan, son of Benjamin Brooks & Asenath Van Vliet Cuddeback Brooks - cdb) ]. They lived a mile west of the river on the lake shore.
Her daughters were:

Parents were strict with their children in those days, and,
as a rule, stood by the school teacher in all cases of
discipline. When a very little girl, Margretta Brooks, afterward
Mrs. Loomis, for some misdemeanor was shut up in a little closet
near the schoolhouse chimney. Becoming impatient of her
confinement, she crawled out unobserved and ran home. But, when
she reached the house, dared not go in, fearing she would be
punished and sent back, so she hid in the old Dutch oven and
awaited developments. The teacher must have sent word after
school was closed for she saw and heard the search that was made
for her, and so safe was her hiding place that it long continued
before she was finally discovered.

Notes for Benjamin Brooks:
Benjamin Brooks, wife and 3 children came to Vermilion, Ohio in 1809. Benjamin was a captive amongst the Indians in his younger days ( 14 years ) & was acquainted with their manners, languages, and traditions. He settled on the shore next east of George Sherarts, on the farm later occupied by his eldest son Jonathon. He died within a few years after settling in Vermilion, his widow survived many more years.

Notes for Asenath Van Vliet:
Mrs. Benjamin Brooks came from Marcellus, New York in 1810. She was twice married. Her first husband's name was Cuddeback. She was the mother of Peter and James Cuddeback, who also came to Vermilion in 1810 and 1811 with their families. She remembered many incidents of the Revolutionary war, which she passed through while living in the state of New York, and often told her children and grandchildren stories of that war and the war of 1812, which took place about two years after coming to Ohio.
While east during the war, word came to them that Indians had been seen in the settlement and the people must all get to the fort. They all started, leaving everything in their hurry to get to a place of safety. Herself and a friend were overtaken by an Indian. They all expected to be killed, but he contented himself by taking a string of gold beads from her neck and some of their clothing, then let them go to the fort.

At the time of Perry's victory, she and her family were in great fear and anxiety, knowing it would be almost sure death if the British and Indians gained the day. There was great rejoicing when the news of the Victory came. Her son, Jonathon Brooks, about seventeen years old, and another young man, went over to the battle ground, between twenty-five and thirty miles distance, in a small open boat. Mr Brooks cut one of the cannon shot from the side of the boats that was in the battle. It is now in possesion of his grandson, Herbert Loomis of East Cleveland. Mrs. Asenath Brooks was 94 years old at the time of her death.

The first quarterly meeting of the Society for the year 1865, ... Wednesday, September 13th ...

AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Society met at the Grove at 1 o'clock, in accordance with adjournment

The following relics and curiosities, presented by the following named persons, were then exhibited: . . . .

By Jonathan Brooks, of Vermillion — a fork presented to him by his
grandfather, Jonathan Brooks. Its
history has been traced back to the
year 1725. How much older it is, is
not known ; also, a bottle presented
to him by Benjamin Brooks, who
was a captive in the hands of the
Indians thirty years. The bottle
was bought in 1786 ; also, a round
shot extracted from the side of the
brig Detroit, at the time of Perry's
victory, by Jonathan Brooks. At the time this ball was obtained, he
carried a boat load of green corn and other vegetables to the soldiers.

"Mrs. Benjamin Brooks and her daughter Elizabeth were running toward the blockhouse, when a great Indian stepped out from the bushes and blocked their path. The mother threw her arms about the girl, and waited in terror for the Indian to kill them.
"After eyeing her a moment, he stretched out his finger and pointed to the string of gold beads on her throat, making a queer grunting sound. Quickly Mrs. Brooks unfastened the string and handed the beads to him.
"He seemed greatly pleased, then with the same grunting sound pointed to her dress. Asenath Brooks quickly unfastened her dress, slipped out of it, and handed it to him, pushing Elizabeth back of her into the bushes so that she might run away and hide.
"The Indian pointed after Elizabeth, still grunting. When she saw that he was pointing, Elizabeth stopped, came hurrying back, snatched off her bright calico dress and she came and thrust it into his hands. The two women, clothed only in their petticoats and shifts, clung together in terror, but the Indian seemed absorbed in the gold beads. Presently, dangling them before him in the sunlight, with the two dresses trailing over his arm, he trotted away into the woods.
"Asenath and Elizabeth took to their heels, and arrived at the blockhouse, breathless but thankful they had not lost their scalps nor their lives, and soon the other women found clothes, which though not very good fits, were most acceptable."1

==============

The third child was Joseph Brooks - who looks to be listed on Vermillion tax rolls.

George Sherarts, with his wife Margaret and
several children, came From Pennsylvania in the
year 1809. He paid out the last shilling he had
for ferriage across the river, and located half
a mile west of Captain Austin's. Himself and
wife were of the good old Pennsylvania German
stock. No one acquainted with Geo. Sherarts
doubted his worth or honesty. He soon opened a
fine farm, paid for it out of his savings, and
raised a numerous family - fourteen children.
He built the second stone house in the
township, occupied till recently by his son
Jacob. He was esteemed as industrious, honest
and pious, and an excellent citizen. The
children were: Christina, who married Jacob
Compton - he died 1818; Betsey, who married
Jonathan Brooks, left one daughter Betsey;
Katharine, who married Budd Martin; George Jr.
who married Mary Cuddeback; Polly, who married
Sylvester Cuddeback; Rebecca, who married
George Butterfield; Jacob, who married
Katharine Sherarts [and] 2nd Elizabeth
Bomhart[Baumhardt]; John, who married Susan
Sherarts; Hannah, who married David Shafer;
Rachel, who married Nathan Cuddeback; Barbara,
who married Simon Sherarts; Sophia, who married
William B. Andrews.
Katherine [Martin]'s children were Rosanna,
Almon, William, Lafayette, Clarissa.
Polly wife of S. Cuddeback.
George Jr. married Mary Cuddeback. Children
- James, Calista, Jane, Sidney, Franklin,
Sarah, Roxana.
Peter Cuddeback and his wife Jane were of the
Dutch stock of the Mohawk, New York, and came
also with several children in 1811, and settled
two miles west of the river. Uncle Peter and
Aunt Janey were noted far and wide for thrift
and unbounded hospitality. Although their
children to the number of near a dozen, were
usually at the family board, scarcely ever did
they fail, for a meal, to also supply the wants
of visitors -- travelers, immigrants, or any
others who would partake of their good cheer.
They had enough for each and for all; and it
seemed to be the peculiar delight of Aunt Janey
(as she was familliarly called) to cook for and
wait on her friends, and she counted all
strangers and newcomers as such, As well as
those of longer standing.
He was also somewhat of a public man, being
one of the Board of Trustees of the township or
many years, Treasurer, &c., and his house the
place of holding elections. They were patterns
of industry. He was, by trade, a carpenter and
joiner, to which he added farmer and shoemaker.
(I speak from personal observation of his
habits.) He arose early and labored on the farm
or in the shop till evening. After supper, in
the Winter, he mounted his cobbler's bench and
made and mended shoes for his family's use
(never for others) till 10 or 11 o'clock; then,
the children having become quiet, he read some
book for half an hour or more, and just before
12, would visit his barn and stables and see
that all was right amongst his brute
dependents, and then go in and retire for the
night. Every thing must be in apple-pie order
about him. The porker must not trespass on
biddy, nor biddy on porker. His industry and
economy enabled him to add land to land, till
in 1833, when he died, he was possessor of a
considerable tract of land, and one of the
thriftiest of the pioneers.
His second son, James J., occupies the front
part of the farm. They had issue. Polly married
Geo. Sherarts Jr.; Sallie, (Mrs. Russel Mason);
James J. married Miss Davis; Hiram, deceased;
Fanny, (Mrs. Allen Pelton); Nathan married
Rachel Sherarts; Norman; Amos married Miss
Hammond; Jane, (Mrs. Curtis); and Permilla,
deceased.
Peter Cuddeback died in 1833. His widow still
lives at an advanced age, with her son James J.
. . .

John Miller settled on Chapelle Creek, about
a mile from the lake, in 18__. He was from
Connecticut, and had been a sailor. He had two
sons, who are still living on the shore, - John
and Isaac - both hunters. Isaac was considered
the Nimrod of Vermillion; made hunting his main
business while game lasted, and for many years
killed as many as 100 to 200 deer besides other
game, annually. He is a small, thin man with
iron nerves and a lynx's eye, and his trusty
rifle was a sure hit - 4, 5, or 6 deer in a day
was no uncommon feat, and whatever might be the
success of others, Ike was always in luck.
Contrary to the usual experience of hunters,
Isaac, as the game grew scarce, turned his
attention to the farm and has now a good one on
the lake shore.
One daughter, Ann, married Jos. Brooks.
. . .

Benjamin Brooks and wife and three children,
came in 1809. He was a captive amongst the
Indians for many years in his younger days, and
well acquainted with their manners, languages
and traditions. He settled on the shore next
east of Geo. Sherarts, on the farm now occupied
by his eldest son, Jonathan. He died within a
few years afterwards; his widow survived him
many years. Children, Jonathan, Joseph, Betsey.
Jonathan married Betsey Sherarts, and has
issue: Asenath, wife of Zebulon Carey; Laura,
wife of Richard S. Harris; Mary E., wife of
Philander Crozier; Margaret, wife of Leonard
Loomis; James P. married to Eliza Allport;
William H., married Catharine
Bomhart[Baumhardt]; Sarah E., wife of Jonathan
Jones. Himself and wife are now old, and
counted amongst the noblest works of God -
honest people.
The other son, Joseph, married Ann Miller,
and has issue: Eunice; Caroline, wife of _____
Sherwood; Lucy, wife of Albert Sherwood; and
Benjamin. His second wife, Maria Kitchen;
issue: Mary Ann and Elizabeth. He was an
ingenious mechanic and farmer, and good man;
removed to Michigan some years since. He
settled a little east of Judge Ruggles.
Betsey, the daughter, married Jas. Prentiss,
the first Justice of the Tp., and has issue:
Cyrus Sally, Warren, Calvin, Clarissa and
Luther.
James Prentiss, Esq., settled near the mouth
of Sugar Creek, was an industrious and worthy
citizen, and died about 1836.

JOHN BROOKS, RWPA #W10451. He was born in Ridgefiled Township, Fairfield County, New York on December 4, 1753. He married in (2) Huron County, Ohio on February 5, 1838 Orilla Hancock. He died on September 23, 1846. He served as a private in Captain Cornelius Hardenburgh's Company of Colonel Rudolphus Ritzman's Regiment and in Colonel Jesse Woodhull's Regiment of Orange County Militia. He states he was stationed in Fort Wsahington on Fort Isalnd on the day it was evacuated. He was wounded in the right arm in the Battle of White Plains. He also served in Captain William Telford's Company Company of the South End Regiment of Ulster County Militia. John states he was thrice wounded in a battle with Joseph Brant on the Beaver Creek near Peen Pack and he states that Lieutenant Colonel Doctor Benjamin Thurston of the Goshen District Regiment of Orange County Militia, Captain Bazaliel Tyler Junior of Little Britian in the New Windsor Precinct Company of the South End Regiment of Ulster County Militia, and Major [ ] DeWitt [sic] were killed in this battle.He also fought in the Battle of Trenton as an Orderly Sergeant.

----------------------------------------------

By the end of the Revolutionary War, it looks like he obtained the rank of Lieut.. The rank of Major could have been gained either in the War of 1812, or as a member of a pioneer militia set up to guard Florence from native tribes around 1812. His grave is marked with a War of 1812 service marker.

6 Mar 1833, John Brooks of Florence, OH, aged 77, made affidavit at Norwalk concerning his particularly eventful Revolutionary War service. He declared that on 3 Mar 1776, then a resident of Peenbeck, Ulster, NY, he enlisted as a private soldier for one year's service in the company commanded by Capt. Cornelius Hardenburgh in the 3d NY Regt. of the Continental Line. They marched to Esopus, NY, then traveled by water to New York. Wounded at Flatbush, he retreated with the army from Long Island to Manhattan, remaining there until October, when his unit evacuated the island upon the British capture of Fort Washington. They marched to White Plains, where he was wounded in the action of 8 Oct in his right arm, and subsequently furloughed for four weeks, returning to service about 4 Dec 1776. He went with Washington to Trenton, took part in the successful capture of the Hessian garrison there on Christmas Day, and was there dismissed at the expiration of his term of service.
He further deposed that about the middle of Apr 1777, having returned to Peenbeck, he again enlisted, this time for the term of eight months, as an orderly sergeant in the militia company of Capt. James Tillford, Col. John Snyder's regt. Stationed at Fort Clinton, about 18 miles below West Point, he was engaged in garrison duty and the construction of fortifications and redoubts at Fort Montgomery. When Fort Clinton fell to the British, he made his escape in the dark, and thence made his way to Newburgh to rejoin his company, continuing in service until his discharge, 7 Dec 1777, having served nine months.
John Brooks returned to Peenbeck, then enlisted again for frontier service at Fort Dempsey, serving eight months under Capt. Felter on the New York frontier "from Fort Stanwix to Orange County Line." He then joined Sullivan's 1779 expedition against the Iroquois, was engaged in the battle of Beaver Creek against Joseph Brant's force of Mohawks and Loyalists, and there received three different wounds, by Musket Balls Buckshot & Swords. — One of which broke his right thumb which has always since been uselefs to him. In this battle, his regimental lieutenant colonel, major, and company captain (Barzillai Tyler, who had recently appointed John Brooks ensign) were all killed. After the battle Brooks was commissioned lieutenant, which rank he held until the close of the war.
Discharged in April 1780, he reenlisted (unit unspecified, but probably commanded by Capt. Abraham Cuddeback) and served on garrison duty at DeWitt Fort until the end of the war.2 For disability resulting from his wounds, he was pensioned from January 1, 1777, under the act of June 7, 1785. Under the pension act of 1831, he was awarded a pension, 12 Mar 18--, retroactive to 4 Mar 1831, of $80 annually for Revolutionary service.2 "While his service record card and DAR records show him as major, his pension record does not reflect this."11
His widow Orrilla successfully filed application, 4 Jun 1868, for a widow's pension based on his Revolutionary service.2
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Memoir of Joab Squire (father-in-law of John Jr.) - November 1859
http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/erie/history/FloMemtp.txt

"John Brooks, Sen., and Lambert Shafer, were
Revolutionary soldiers and pensioners. John Brooks enlisted
in the early part of the war, and served all through the
struggle. He was in several important battles; among others,
those of White Plains and Monmouth. He was twice
wounded. He died at the age of 91."

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Possibly he was never a Major at all, and he acquired this title mistakenly based on the inscription on his grave which could be parsed to mean he served under Major Bridges. Or he could have been mistaken for a different Major John Brooks.

There was a DIFFERENT "Major John Brooks" who served under Colonel Ebeneezer Bridge in MA:

[11] JOHN BROOKS, RWPA #W10451. He was born in Ridgefield Township, Fairfield County, New York on December 4, 1753. He married in (2) Huron County, Ohio on February 5, 1838 Orilla Hancock. He died on September 23, 1846. He served as a private in Captain Cornelius Hardenburgh’s Company of Colonel Rudolphus Ritzman’s Regiment and in Colonel Jesse Woodhull’s Regiment of Orange County Militia. He states he was stationed in Fort Washington on Fort Island on the day it was evacuated. He was wounded in the right arm in the Battle of White Plains. He also served in Captain William Telford’s Company Company of the South End Regiment of Ulster County Militia. John states he was thrice wounded in a battle with Joseph Brant on the Beaver Creek near Peen Pack and he states that Lieutenant Colonel Doctor Benjamin Thurston of the Goshen District Regiment of Orange County Militia, Captain Bazaliel Tyler Junior of Little Britian in the New Windsor Precinct Company of the South End Regiment of Ulster County Militia, and Major [ ] DeWitt [sic] were killed in this battle. He also fought in the Battle of Trenton as an Orderly Sergeant.

-------
"New York In the Revolution" page 158
Also lists service in Orange County Militia:
http://threerivershms.com/nyrevrorange1-2.pdfOrange County Militia
Second Regiment
ENLISTED MEN
.......
Brooks John
........
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* Capt. Bazaliel Tyler was the first man killed in the battle of Minisink, July 22d, 1779. He was in the advanced guard. He is usually credited to the Goshen regiment, to which he never belonged, nor did his company.

- -

http://timelines.com/1779/7/19/battle-of-minisinkOn the morning of July 22, the militia moved into position in the hills above the Delaware River, intending to ambush Brant's forces who were crossing at Minisink Ford. Hathorn split them into a group of skirmishers and two units comprising the main force. Before the ambush was set, however, a shot was fired in haste by Bezaleel Tyler, one of the skirmishers. This mistake alerted Brant to the trap, and he quickly outflanked the two groups of colonials, many of whom fled. Separated from the main unit and with his forces scattered, Hathorn was unable to regroup his men for a counterattack. He was forced to retreat, leaving Tusten and the Goshen militia surrounded and outnumbered. After several hours of continuous volleys, insufficient ammunition and close quarters caused the battle to devolve into hand-to-hand combat, at which the Iroquois excelled. At least 45 militiamen were killed, including Tusten himself. 1 rebel {Captain Wood} was captured. Brant's force, on the other hand, is believed to have lost only about seven men. {Brant wrote of his casualties that 3 were killed and of the 10 wounded, 4 were dangerously wounded and possibly could not survive}. Although badly wounded, Hathorn survived, returning to Warwick to write his report of the loss to his superiors.

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An Outline History of Orange County: Together with Local Tradition and Short ...
By Samuel W. Eager - http://is.gd/70d6hA

"Blockhouses and Military Posts of the Firelands" Marjorie Loomis Cherry - 1934

JOHN BROOKS SR., FLORENCE, OHIO

John Brooks Sr., came with his wife and family in 1810. He was a
Revolutionary soldier and was wounded three times, but lived to the age of
91 years. He enlisted early in the war and served through the whole
struggle being in the battle of White Plains and Monmouth.

His first wife, the mother of his children, was Rachel Blizzard. The name of his seconf wife is lost. Third wife was the Widow barnes, the fourth wife being Wido Hancock (Orvilla Hocum).

I cannot locate Rachel Blizzard b in NY? and d before 1832. She was the first w of John BROOKS, b 4 Dec 1755 Fairfield Co., Ridgefield, CT, m ca 1777, d 22 Sep 1846 Huron Co., OH, age 91. He was the s of Jonathan BROOKS and Sarah HUBBARD. John BROOKS m/2 Orrilla HANCOCK, widow, in 1838. She applied for pension 6 Mar 1833. The fam legend has 3 BROOKS bros coming from England. One story says Jonathan came over. I can't get past him and Ridgefield, CT.

Ch of John BROOKS; (1) George BROOKS b 29 Aug 1780 Deerpark, Ulster Co., NY, m. 9 Nov 1809 Mary CLARK, dau of Elisha CLARK. George is supposed to have d enroute to CA. Where? I have no info on Mary CLARK. (2) Sarah (Sally) BROOKS b 1781, d 1813 Florence, OH. (3) John BROOKS, Jr. m Adeline SQUIRE in Florence, OH. The last of John Jr.'s fam left for KS. George had 11 ch. He went to Colon, MI in 1831.

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Other possible children are:

- Benjamin Brooks (father of a Jonothan Brooks) who lived as a captive of Indians for over a decade, possibly being abducted during the Mohawk raid on the Brooks home at Minisink. Benjamin and his son were settlers in Erie County, OH.

"Mr. Delbert Radke, Attorney at Law in San Francisco, CA wrote a letter to the Record and Pension Office of the War Department dated December 19th, 1928 in which he states that George Brooks was born on Aug. 29, 1780. He further states that George was baptised on Oct. 29th, 1780 at the Old Dutch Reform Church in Deerpark, NY."